Mya Wun Yan — BNI Election Newsroom interviewed U Kyaw Khin; a NLD candidate running in the Shan State’s Mantong constituency where the majority of ethnic Lahu in Myanmar reside. The constituency is also home to ethnic Wa and 10 polling stations have been opened in their area.
Q: You won in Taunggyi back in 1990. Why are you running in Mantong during this election?
A: I don’t argue about what constituency I am representing when working for the party. I wasn’t selected for Taunggyi. So, what do I do? I go where I am needed.
Q: What’s your view on the public’s support for the NLD in Shan State?
A: I’m not talking about whether or not to support the NLD. Speaking frankly, it’s time for the public to decide what to do. In the past, they just supported Daw Suu. As the election draws near, they have become a little confused. So, we urge them not to look at the candidates and just vote for the NLD. We can only form the government if the party wins. We will be able to amend the constitution. We will be able to build a true federal union in line with the democratic standard of NLD’s strategy. I don’t ask them to vote for me, I ask them to vote for the NLD. If you think it’s time to change, vote for the NLD. When it’s time for change, the ethnic people will think about which party is likely to accomplish this and vote for it.
Q: Which parties are your main competitors in Mantong?
A: Both the Tiger Head (SNLD) and White Tiger (SNDP) parties are running in Mantong. The TNP and the USDP are also running here. So there will be five parties including the NLD. We don’t consider any of the other party as our competitor. We only tell people to vote for the NLD. We don’t say whether we will win or not, we can only guarantee a federal union.
Q: As a representative for an ethnic area what promises have you given them?
A: I have campaigned five times in Mantong as Central Executive Committee. I didn’t tell anyone what I can do for them. The NLD can’t give them money; it can’t do anything yet. But it’s our priority to implement a true federal union, so vote for us. That’s the promise we give to the ethnic people.
Q: What kind of federal system have you guaranteed?
A: A politician must act on what he has said. The party’s principle is to build a true democratic federal union. We are not speaking about it only now. Since the establishment of our party we have been talking about a federal union where all citizens can be part of. There’s no need to involve the Myanmar Army. There’s no reason to include them in the constitution. It must be in agreement with everyone. We will come closer to achieving internal peace if there is a true federal union. When this federal union is established the army won’t be able to influence anyone in this federal system.
Q: What do you want to say about the federal system that the two Shan parties have not been able to agree upon?
A: It’s not a concern for with us whether they have different views on this. There’s no reason for such kind of thing to happen within a federal union. The only differences will be with the ideas. There’s also no place for the army to influence anyone. The ethnic people took up arms based on federalism.
They are holding arms to counter the Myanmar Army’s influence. In a true federal system, no soldier can influence anyone. There’s no reason to reserve 25 percent (of the Parliament) for them. They cannot divide the ethnic people.
Q: How are you preparing for your campaign?
A: Look at what I’m doing, look at this journal. There’s a picture of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. I’m going to send these journals to Mantong with the Fighting Peacock party’s logo because we did a survey on a nationwide scale.
The public doesn’t know that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is the leader of the National League for Democracy. They don’t know that she is the leader of the Fighting Peacock party. They only know her as Bogyoke [Aung San]’s daughter. So, we have to help them recognize these two things. We have to print red badges with the words the NLD led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the Fighting Peacock party.
Q: If the NLD wins with a landslide has the party already considered who will be the president? Lower ranking party members want to know this.
A: We weren’t successful in amending Section 59 (f) and 436 of the Constitution so Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can’t become the president. What will the NLD do? If the NLD wins and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can’t become president don’t all the candidates running in the election need to be inclusive? Nothing has been said about the presidential candidate.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
A: The government should supervise a national referendum on whether or not the people want a federal system. If the majority wants a federal union system then this will be carried out. The NLD will do this if it wins. In order to move towards federalist union, the NLD must first become the government. If it's established after receiving approval from everyone, there will be guarantee for equal rights of all ethnic people. There would be guarantee to enact own laws. Only this system can promise long-term peace. We share this same view with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by BNI staff
